In each was an Esquimau equipped for seal hunting.
They landed and approached the airship. Short and squatty in figure they were, with greasy countenances. A more villainous-looking set had never been seen by the voyagers.
They conversed with Frank for a while in broken English, and then went away. As they disappeared Frank said, with conviction:
“Do you know I do not believe we have seen the last of them. I feel sure that we shall have trouble.”
“You may be sure of that!” declared Spencer. “I know something about their race, and I tell you they are a bad lot.”
“Begorra, ther’s enough av us to whip them!” averred Barney.
“That may be true,” agreed Frank, “but it will put us to the unpleasant necessity of killing a few of them.”
That night a careful guard was kept. Barney and Pomp watched alternately. But it was not until the next day, that the real trouble came.
CHAPTER XII.
THE PROFESSOR’S ADVENTURE.
Then Frank Reade, Jr.’s premise proved correct. However, no open attack was made upon the Dart.